Halloweenie Beanie (aka The Pumpkin Head Hat)

(This is my adorable nephew modeling the pumpkin head)

I made FOUR of these suckers for a co-worker who's wife was having (get ready for this) QUADS (um, hence the four hats). I didn't think I could handle four baby blankets, so hats it was... They were fun to make and the pattern can totally be used for just a regular winter hat. I think each hat took about 2-3 hours, then another hour for the leaf, icord, and finishing.

So here it is: The Reversible Knit Halloweenie Beanie Recipe

Yarn: I am used this amazing, soft wool in "squash" (orange) and for the pumpkin's stem, I used a small amount of Lion Brand in a kelly green color. I had the green left over from a scarf I made a hundred years ago. This pattern took a little more than one skein of orange, and a very small amount of green.

Needles: I used a size 9 circular needle (16" circular) for most of the hat and switched to size 9 double-pointed needles when needed during decreasing. I used the double pointed to make an icord for the stem and then just the same circular ones for the leaf

I'm not sure the gauge matters TOO much for the hat- it depends on what size you want it to be! and for the stem and leaf... doesn't matter at all.

For the beanie:

1. On circular needles, cast on 88 stitches in orange yarn and join to knit in the round. Place stitch marker at start of round.

2. Knit 4, Purl 4 all the way around to create a ribbed edge. I did this for a little over an inch, or about five rows.

3. For the body, the hat is basically stockinette with a single rib every eight stitches. So you will Knit 7, Purl 1 all the way around for the entire body for until hat measures 6" from base, including rib.

4. The reason this hat is reversible is because when you begin decreasing, rather than knitting two stitches together (as I have in all my other hats) here I decided to Purl two stitches together, which creates a decrease ridge that perfectly lines up with the purl ridges on the reverse stockinette side of the hat:

5. Start decreasing by knitting six stitches, purling two stiches together and repeat all the way around the row.

6. For all the remaining rows, you'll knit until you see that purl stitch coming -- you'll see it -- and then purl together the plain stitch before it plus the lone purl stitch.

Or if that's too confusing, just follow this:
Knit 6, P2 together
Knit 5, P2 together
Knit 4, P2 together
Knit 3, P2 together
Knit 2, P2 together

But I found this to be the easiest hat to decrease of all the hats I've made -- you don't need to count to know when to decrease, just look for that purl ridge in your stockinette and you're ready to decrease. Decreasing purlwise (fancypants way of saying "purl two together") is just as easy as decreasing the regular way.

7. Switch to double points when there are too few stitches to fit around the circular needle.

8. Thread large eye needle through stitches and remove from needles. Stitch down through top of hat to secure and keep from unraveling. Finish and weave in ends.

For this particular hat, I actually flipped it inside out because I thought the "reverse" side was better for a pumpkin, but it's a cute beanie on either side...

I added the stem and leaf with my darting needle and secured it on the inside. Vooola!

I can't seem to find the pattern for the leaf as it was one that came out of my knitting-guru's head, but it was simple and took just a few minutes. However, there is another leaf that would work and the pattern for that is under the boss's wife's wine coozie. I attached the leaf and icord to the top and was all done!

So... Welcome Krol Babies! And congrats to Matt and Michelle on your four BOYS!